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Sunbury ramp provides 'reel' sight

Tightline Jr.

By Donny Branch
Fishing columnist

POSTED:November 27, 2013 7:30 p.m.

Hello, friends and neighbors. I hope everyone is doing well this fall season. With that said, let us get straight to business. I have a few reports this week, some with the same person mentioned. Neal Patterson and Will Darsey had nice catch last week. Neal caught a 6-pound flounder, and Will landed four nice spottail bass. Neal said they had a small variety basket and all-around nice catch. Neal, fishing with his daughter, Katherine, had a nice variety of black sea bass, croaker mixed in with a few trout and spottail. Neal still reports plenty of shrimp in the river. That can only mean one thing folks: Where there is bait, there will be fish. Dan Rix of the 141st Field Artillery and his friends were fishing at the Sunbury boat ramp when suddenly, Dan’s pole bent double. Mike Flatt was taking his boat out when all this was happening. Dan fought the big fish for a good 10 minutes, going from one end of the pier to the other. That’s when Mike told him, “You are going to have to come to the floating dock if you plan on landing whatever that is you have on the hook.” Mike said it was a sight to see those fellows trying to manage big red. At this point, they still did not know what they had on the line. Finally, they got up on the dock, and Dan did not know what he had caught. “That’s one you pray to hang onto but, sadly, you must release it,” Mike said. Dan asked why. Mike’s reply: “Well, No. 1: It’s the law. And No. 2: The DNR (Department of National Resources) is sitting out there in the middle of the river taking this all in.”Even though it was a catch and release, I think these fellows are hooked on saltwater fishing. Well, friends, I have a report from the dock. Boo Hall and I landed about 10 croaker, one mangrove and one black sea bass. Then two days later, Gef Branch and Boo Hall caught six nice whiting on the dock tour. Well, folks, that about wraps it up for this week. If you need bait, the Sunbury Crab Company has live shrimp and minnows. Rayburn at Yellow Bluff has live shrimp and minnows. Half Moon Marina has live shrimp, and the Midway Feed and Seed has fresh and saltwater bait. Just remember what Old Tight Line always said: “Get out there and go fishing. And if you do, remember to always keep a tight line.” I say, “Wet a hook; it’s good for the soul.”Until next time, this is Tight Line Jr. living the tight-line life on the coast.